Rockets report: Commissioner sees jersey ads in future

Share this:

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NBA commissioner Adam Silver on Monday said jersey ads are inevitable in the next couple of years for the league.

“Because we have a WNBA and a development league and we have already begun selling jersey ads in our other leagues, I said last week that I believe it is inevitable that it will come to United States major sports leagues,” he said. “It is widespread, and increasingly our marketing partners are always looking for opportunities to get closer to the game.”

Silver also spoke about the issue of the minimum age in the NBA. He said the league is always trying to strike a balance between giving young players a chance and getting experienced players into the league.

“I have heard from players who have said that a young man should have a right to earn a living at 18 and others who have said we would be a better league if players have more experience, life experience and playing experience before they come into the league, and so I am sensitive to both sides,” Silver said. “Right now, we have bargained a minimum age of 19 — one year out of high school. Of course, in the NFL, they have collectively bargained three years out of high school. I think the balance would be two years out of high school and that is what we proposed in our last collective bargaining agreement, that players come in at a minimum age of 20.”

Bobcats coach fears beard

Charlotte coach Steve Clifford had a lot of positive things to say about how the Rockets have come together this season.

The key, he said, is guard James Harden.

“I think it starts with him,” Clifford said. “In this league, the only two guys that I see that are a tougher cover than him, and I mean this, are (Kevin) Durant and (LeBron)James, and there is nobody else. To me, (Harden) is the third-toughest cover in this league.

“He will hit 3-pointers if you are not there, he lives at the free-throw line and he has over five assists a game. He is a great offensive player, and he is a handful.”